North Dakota Supreme Court

The North Dakota Supreme Court is the highest court of law in the state of North Dakota. The Court rules on questions of law in appeals from the state's district courts.

North Dakota Supreme Court
Seal
Map
Established1889
JurisdictionNorth Dakota
LocationBismarck, North Dakota
Composition methodNon-partisan election
Authorised byConstitution of North Dakota
Appeals toSupreme Court of the United States
Judge term length10 years
Number of positions5
WebsiteOfficial website
Chief Justice
CurrentlyJon J. Jensen
Since2020
Lead position ends2025
Jurist term ends2030

Each of the five justices is elected on a no-party ballot for a ten-year term, arranged so that one seat is contested every two years. The Chief Justice is elected from the Justices every five years (or upon vacancy) by vote of the Supreme Court justices and the District Court judges.

The Supreme Court is empowered to constitute a Court of Appeals consisting of a three-member panel chosen from active and retired District Court judges, retired Supreme Court justices, and lawyers. The Court of Appeals only hears cases specifically assigned to it by the Supreme Court, which is done only infrequently.

Under Article 6, Section 4 of the North Dakota Constitution, the North Dakota Supreme Court "shall not declare a legislative enactment unconstitutional unless at least four of the members of the court so decide."[1] North Dakota and Nebraska are the only two states that require a supermajority of state Supreme Court justices to rule a legislative provision unconstitutional.

Justices

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Current composition

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Justice Born Joined Chief Justice Term ends Appointed by Law school
Jon J. Jensen, Chief Justice 1965 (age 58–59) August 15, 2017 2020–present 2030 Doug Burgum (R) North Dakota
Daniel J. Crothers (1957-01-03) January 3, 1957 (age 67) June 2005 2032 John Hoeven (R) North Dakota
Lisa K. Fair McEvers 1962 (age 61–62) January 1, 2014 2028 Jack Dalrymple (R) North Dakota
Jerod E. Tufte (1975-04-09) April 9, 1975 (age 49) January 1, 2017 2026 [a] Arizona State
Douglas Bahr 1960 or 1961 (age 63–64)[2] February 1, 2023 2026 Doug Burgum (R) South Dakota
  1. ^ Took office after being elected in a nonpartisan election.

References

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  1. ^ "North Dakota Constitution – ARTICLE VI JUDICIAL BRANCH" (PDF).
  2. ^ Turley, Jeremy (January 9, 2023). "Raising the Bahr: Burgum taps judge to join North Dakota Supreme Court". The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead.
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